An exact collisionless equilibrium for the Force-Free Harris Sheet with low plasma beta

Journal Article · Thu Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2015 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4934611· OSTI ID:22486421

Allanson, O., E-mail: [e-mail]; Neukirch, T., E-mail: [e-mail]; Wilson, F., E-mail: [e-mail]; Troscheit, S., E-mail: [e-mail] ^[1]

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1. School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, St. Andrews, KY16 9SS (United Kingdom)

We present a first discussion and analysis of the physical properties of a new exact collisionless equilibrium for a one-dimensional nonlinear force-free magnetic field, namely, the force-free Harris sheet. The solution allows any value of the plasma beta, and crucially below unity, which previous nonlinear force-free collisionless equilibria could not. The distribution function involves infinite series of Hermite polynomials in the canonical momenta, of which the important mathematical properties of convergence and non-negativity have recently been proven. Plots of the distribution function are presented for the plasma beta modestly below unity, and we compare the shape of the distribution function in two of the velocity directions to a Maxwellian distribution.

• OSTI ID: 22486421
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 22, Issue 10; Other Information: (c) 2015 Author(s); Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
BOLTZMANN STATISTICS
COLLISIONLESS PLASMA
CONVERGENCE
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
EQUILIBRIUM
FORCE-FREE MAGNETIC FIELDS
HERMITE POLYNOMIALS
LOW-BETA PLASMA
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
ONE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES